With a determined effort he put some distancebetween himself and the woman.In the past hours he had battled theunsettling emotions that plagued him as he held her and offered hercomfort.The battle had left him far more weary than any battlewith sword and dirk.
“I will prepare a meal for you.”
“I have no hunger,” she protested.
“You will eat,” he said firmly.“And then wewill leave for your father’s camp.”
Lindsey watched as Jamie strode to the fireand cut strips of venison.With food and drink her strengthreturned, making her eager to take to the trail once more.Sheglanced at the man who ate quickly, then prepared their horses forthe long trek.He had fought her attacker, prepared a soothing balmfor her wounds and skinned and cooked a deer for their food.Wasthere anything this mysterious man could not do?
When he returned he held out his hand.“Canyou stand, my lady?”
“Aye.”Lindsey accepted his help and gotslowly to her feet.For a moment she swayed, and instantly Jamie’sarms were around her, steadying her.
They both felt the jolt, and fought to denyit.
“I think perhaps you need another day toregain your strength.”
“Nay.”She pushed away from him and forcedherself to walk slowly toward her horse.With each step she felther confidence grow.But when she tried to pull herself into thesaddle, she did so only with great effort.
He handed her the reins.His voice wasunusually gruff.“We will ride only until dark.Then I will decideif we will go on or make camp.”
His rough tone sounded an alarm in her mind.She had no idea just how much of herself she had revealed to thisman during the past hours.What if, in her fevered state, she hadrevealed the secret she had kept locked all these years in herheart?Though she never spoke about it, her limp was a painfulreminder of that terrible moment in her youth.A moment that wasburned into her memory for all time.
She clamped her teeth.She must never forgetthat this was, after all, the man who had warned her father thatshe would slow them on their journey.And he had been provencorrect.
There must be no further display of weakness.Else this angry giant might insist that she be returned to her homein the Highlands.And she would never have her chance to see thequeen.
Chapter Eight
Dusk settled overthe land, lengthening the shadows and carrying the chill of nighton the air.
Slumped in the saddle, Lindsey lifted herhood and drew her cloak tightly around her to ward off thecold.
Jamie’s voice came from directly behind her,startling her.“We will stop for the night and make camp by theriver.”
“Nay.I would return to my father’s camp.Hewill need to see me if he is to be reassured that I amunharmed.”
Jamie’s tone left no room for discussion.“Adarkened wood leaves many places for a villain to hide, my lady.Wewill stop in that clearing ahead, where I can keep watch untillight.”
When they reached the place, Lindsey slidfrom the saddle and led her horse to the bank of the river.Kneeling, she scooped the water into her hands and drankgratefully.
By the time she had tethered her horse, Jamiehad gathered enough logs for a fire.Soon the air was filled withmouth-watering aromas as meat sizzled and snapped over thefire.
“I see that a soldier in service to the queenlearns to do many things for himself.”
“Aye.If he desires a full stomach and a drybed.”
“Then I think perhaps my brothers shouldconsider soldiering, for they have learned to do little forthemselves.They expect the servants to see to their needs.”
“Your brothers were most apt pupils, my lady,when they knew your life was at stake.”
“I am glad.Though I regret that I put themthrough such fear.”Lindsey’s smile faded.She grew silent.
Jamie and Lindsey reclined on opposite sidesof the fire, eating their fill.
From the corner of her eye Lindsey saw aslight movement in the woods.Her hand went to her dirk at herwaist.But her look of alarm became a smile of surprise when shespotted the hound watching her.Tearing off a strip of meat, shetossed it some distance away, then turned her attention to her ownmeal.Within a few minutes she became aware that the animal wasstalking closer.When Wolf snatched up the meat, she threw a secondpiece.Again the hound crept close and took the meat.
Lindsey found herself admiring the great,shaggy beast.His coat, though tangled, was sleek and glossy.Hiswary eyes gleamed with a look of danger.There was a nobility inthis wild creature that oddly touched her, reminding her of the manwho sat across from her.
